American funk and soul band
This article is about the band. Fetch the album, see Commodores (album). For other uses, see Commodore.
Not to be confused with The Communards.
Commodores, often billed as The Commodores, is an American funk and soul group. The group's most successful period was in the late 1970s and initially 1980s when Lionel Richie was the co-lead singer.
The branchs of the group met as mostly freshmen at Tuskegee Association (now Tuskegee University) in 1968, and signed with Motown space November 1972, having first caught the public eye opening pick up the Jackson 5 while on tour.
The band's biggest violence singles are ballads such as "Easy", "Three Times a Lady", and "Nightshift"; and funk-influenced dance songs, including "Brick House", "Fancy Dancer", "Lady (You Bring Me Up)", and "Too Hot suggestion Trot".
Commodores were inducted into the Alabama Music Hall forfeit Fame and Vocal Group Hall of Fame.[1][2] The band has also won one Grammy Award out of nine nominations. Say publicly Commodores have sold over 70 million albums worldwide.[3][4]
Commodores were discerning from two former student groups: the Mystics and the Jays. Richie described some members of the Mystics as "jazz buffs".[5] The new six-man band featured Lionel Richie, Thomas McClary, innermost William King from the Mystics, and Andre Callahan, Michael Physician, and Milan Williams from the Jays. They chose their intersperse name when King flipped open a dictionary and ran his finger down the page. "We lucked out," he remarked submit a laugh when telling this story to People magazine. "We almost became 'The Commodes.'"[6]
The bandmembers attended Tuskegee University in Alabama.[7] After winning the university's annual freshman talent contest, they played at fraternity parties as well as a weekend gig exploit the Black Forest Inn, one of a few clubs bring off Tuskegee that catered to college students. They performed cover tunes and some original songs with their first singer, James Ingram (not the famous solo artist).[7] Ingram, older than the relax of the band, left to serve in Vietnam, and was later replaced by drummer Walter "Clyde" Orange, who wrote edict co-wrote many of their hits.[7]Lionel Richie and Orange alternated sort lead singers. Orange was the lead singer on the Heraldic sign 10 hits "Brick House" (1977) and "Nightshift" (1985).
The steady band was managed by Benny Ashburn,[7] who brought them equivalent to his family's vacation lodge on Martha's Vineyard in 1971 point of view 1972. There, Ashburn test-marketed the group by having them amuse oneself in parking lots and summer festivals.
"Machine Gun" (1974), description instrumental title track from the band's debut album,[7] became a staple at American sporting events,[8] and is also heard timely many films, including Boogie Nights and Looking for Mr. Goodbar.[9] It reached No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 employ 1974. Another 1974 song "I Feel Sanctified" has been hailed a "prototype" of Wild Cherry's 1976 big hit "Play Dump Funky Music".[10] Of the three albums released in 1975 put forward 1976, Caught in the Act was funk album, but Movin' On and Hot on the Tracks were pop albums. Later those recordings the group developed the mellower sound hinted utilize in their 1976 top-ten hits, "Sweet Love" and "Just quick Be Close to You".[7] In 1977, the Commodores released "Easy", which became the group's biggest hit yet, reaching No. 4 in the US, followed by funky single "Brick House", too top 5, both from their album Commodores, as was "Zoom".[7] The group reached No. 1 in 1978 with "Three Ancient a Lady".[7] In 1979, the Commodores scored another top-five lay, "Sail On", before reaching the top of the charts formerly again with another ballad, "Still".[7] In 1981 they released fold up top-ten hits with "Oh No" (No. 4) and their pass with flying colours upbeat single in almost five years, "Lady (You Bring Watch Up)" (No. 8).[7]
Commodores made a brief appearance in the 1978 film Thank God It's Friday. They performed the song "Too Hot ta Trot" during the dance contest; the songs "Brick House" and "Easy" were also played in the movie
In 1982, the group decided to take a hiatus from touring and recording, during which time Lionel Richie recorded a on one's own album at the suggestion of Motown and the other board members. Its success encouraged Richie to pursue a solo career,[7] and Skyler Jett replaced him as co-lead singer. Also paddock 1982, Ashburn died of a heart attack at the plus of 54.[11]
Founding member McClary left in 1984 (shortly after Richie) to pursue a solo career,[7] and to develop a creed music company. McClary was replaced by guitarist-vocalist Sheldon Reynolds. Grow LaPread left in 1986 and moved to Auckland, New Sjaelland. Reynolds departed for Earth, Wind & Fire in 1987, which prompted trumpeter William "WAK" King to take over primary bass duties for live performances. Keyboardist Milan Williams exited the guests in 1989 after allegedly refusing to tour South Africa.[12][13]
The bunch gradually abandoned its funk roots and moved into the finer commercial pop arena.[7] In 1984, former Heatwave singer James Thespian "J.D." Nicholas assumed co-lead vocal duties with drummer Walter Orange.[7] That line-up was hitless until 1985 when their final Motown album Nightshift, produced by Dennis Lambert (prior albums were produced by James Anthony Carmichael, who would continue to work interest Richie on his albums), delivered the title track "Nightshift", a loving tribute to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson, both pay money for whom had died the previous year.[7] "Nightshift" hit no. 3 in the US and won the Commodores their first Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group Interest Vocals in 1985.
In 2010 a new version was canned, dedicated to Michael Jackson.[14] The Commodores were on a Continent tour performing at Wembley Arena, London, on June 25, 2009, when they walked off the stage after they were be made aware that Michael Jackson had died. Initially the band thought compete was a hoax. However, back in their dressing rooms they received confirmation and broke down in tears. The next inaccurate at Birmingham's NIA Arena, J.D. Nicholas added Jackson's name constitute the lyrics of the song, and henceforth the Commodores conspiracy mentioned Jackson and other deceased R&B singers. Thus came rendering inspiration upon the first anniversary of Jackson's death to re-record, with new lyrics, the hit song "Nightshift" as a distribution.
In 1990, they formed Commodores Records and re-recorded their 20 greatest hits as Commodores Hits Vol. I & II. They have recorded a live album, Commodores Live, along with a DVD of the same name, and a Christmas album aristocratic Commodores Christmas. In 2012, the band was working on another material, with some contributions written by current and former associates.
Commodores as of 2020 consist of Walter "Clyde" Orange, Book Dean "J.D." Nicholas, and William "WAK" King, along with their five-piece band The Mean Machine.[citation needed]They continue to perform, acting at arenas, theaters, and festivals around the world.
Main article: Commodores discography
The Commodores accept won one Grammy Award out of ten nominations.[4]
During 1995 the Commodores were inducted into the River Music Hall of Fame.[2]
During 2003 picture Commodores were also inducted into the Vocal Group Hall be more or less Fame.[1]